In the Tatting Newsletter from Bellaonline.com August 2, 2011 on the Hemingway Silk Company, I wrote: "If any tatter would like to rewrite these vintage patterns in modern tatting terms, I will be happy to post the solutions on BellaOnline." Barbara Hevener took up that challenge and reproduced a pattern for us to enjoy.

This antique pin cushion top (finished diameter approximately 4 inches) was presented on pages 75-76 of Lessons in Embroidery published early in the 1900s by M. Heminway & Sons. The original instructions used "traditional cut-and-tie tatting" and generated many thread ends that needed to be sewn-in or hidden in some fashion. The chains in the outer two rounds of the original were arranged somewhat asymmetrically with respect to the pentagonal center of the piece.

The following updated version uses modern continuous tatting techniques (including a split ring at the start of Round 3 and a split chain at the end of Round 3), so that only one pair of thread ends must be hidden--at the end of the project. The outer rounds were rearranged so as to lie symmetrically around the five "petals" of the center. Note: This updated version works up almost flat but may require blocking to lie perfectly flat.

NOTATION
LP = long picot.
All other abbreviations are explained at the following URL:
http://www.palmettotatters.org/patterns/StandardTattingNotationforPTGTatDays.pdf.

Red italicized instructions are carried out while the back side of the project is facing the tatter. This notational distinction is provided primarily for those who use "front-side, back-side" tatting.

Note from the editor: Since these directions are dependent upon color type, a pdf has been prepared for ease of use. Enjoy!